Mystic River Bird Outing Feb. 6

The Friends of the Mystic River is presenting its annual Winter Mystic Bird Outing on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Hundreds of birds spend winter in the Mystic River watershed, as long as open water is available. Medford birding expert Paul Roberts will lead an excursion to popular bird locations along the Upper Mystic River and Mystic Lakes. Roberts teaches birding courses with special emphasis on hawks, shorebirds and waterfowl. He’ll look for raptors such as the bald eagle, merlin, Cooper’s hawk and red-tailed hawk; waterfowl, including common and hooded mergansers; red-bellied woodpeckers; and more.

The free outing, co-sponsored by the Menotomy Bird Club, will begin at 10 a.m. and last about two hours. Meet at the dam in between the Upper and Lower Mystic Lakes (near the Medford Boat Club). Enter the parking lot from Mystic Valley Parkway, about a half-mile north of the Route 60 bridge crossing the Mystic.

The walk will be canceled in persistent rain, icy conditions, moderate or heavy snow falling, or if the parking lot is unplowed from previous substantial snowfall; will go in light snow flurries as long as parking is open at the Mystic Lakes.

Bring a birding field guide and binoculars if possible; there will be carpooling and walking short distances from the cars

For more information, contact Roberts at 781-483-4263 or email phawk254@comcast.net or mystic02155@hotmail.com.

Friends of the Mystic River is a Medford-based community organization focused on the enjoyment, protection and enhancement of the Mystic River in Medford. For more information visit www.fomr.org.

– Submitted by Ken Krause